Apple has been granted a patent for a “mounting base for a wirelessly locatable tag” that related to the rumored “AirTags” that are expected before the holidays.
AirTags are a rumored tracking device that could be attached to various objects to help you locate them if they’re lost or misplaced. For example, they could work as a key finder, to help locate TV remotes that are “hiding,” etc.
In the patent data, Apple notes that it may be difficult to locate personal property that is not an electronic device or to locate electronic devices that lack a GPS. The company’s invention is directed to a wirelessly locatable tag that may be used to determine the location of electronic devices or other personal property or objects.
Here’s the summary of the invention: “A mounting base for use with a wirelessly locatable tag may include a base portion defining a latching member configured to engage a wirelessly locatable tag to releasably retain the wirelessly locatable tag to the mounting base, a contact block attached to the base portion and configured to be positioned at least partially within a battery cavity of the wirelessly locatable tag, the contact block defining a top side and a peripheral side.
“The mounting base may further include a first conductive member positioned along the peripheral side of the contact block and configured to contact a first battery contact in the battery cavity of the wirelessly locatable tag, a second conductive member outwardly biased from the top side of the contact block, the second conductive member configured to contact a second battery contact in the battery cavity of the tag, and a power cable coupled to the base portion.”
(Dennis Sellers has been covering the Apple industry since 1996. In addition to“Apple World Today,” he also runs his own freelance writing/editing service. If you want more info about the latter, email him at dennis.sellers@comcast.net.)
